College Sports Blog

D.J. Monroe’s return to form as lethal kick returner couldn’t come at better time for Texas

STILLWATER, Okla. — Success came so easily for D.J. Monroe on kickoff returns.

In his first four games at Texas in 2009, Monroe returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and established a reputation as a game breaker. A drought followed, one that ended Saturday in Texas’ win at Oklahoma State.

Monroe, a senior from Angleton, took a kickoff late in the first quarter, got a key block by Tevin Jackson, cut to the outside and went 100 yards to give Texas a 21-14 lead.

In the process, Monroe became the first Texas player to return three kickoffs for touchdowns. He had shared the career record with Fozzy Whittaker, who had a 100-yard return last year against Oklahoma State.

Monroe had struggled finding a regular spot in the offense since his breakout freshman season and had only averaged 20.4 yards combined on kickoff returns in 2010 and 2011 after a 33.6 yard mark in 2009. But this season, he’s asserted himself in special jet sweep packages with three rushing touchdowns, drawing praise from the Texas coaches.